Apparatus for determining an authenticated location of an asset with a global resource locator

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for determining an Authenticated Location of a GRL Device. The GRL Device may include a Miniature Atomic Clock along with other components that can receive process and communicate information to enable locating, identifying, and tracking physical Assets and data contained within the Assets. More specifically, the present disclosure presents methods and apparatus of deploying a Global Resource Locating (GRL) device adhered to or inserted into packaging for an Asset.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A first Global Resource Locator Device (“GRL Device”) for determining an authenticated location of an asset, the first GRL Device comprising:
 a. a clock comprising a fullerene-based transition frequency; 
 b. a processor in logical communication with the clock; 
 c. a radio receiver; 
 d. a transmitter; 
 e. a log storing a record of the authenticated location of the first GRL Device and a time of a determination of the authenticated location; and 
 f. a digital storage comprising software executable upon demand, the software operative with the processor to cause the first GRL Device to determine the authenticated location of the first GRL Device and to receive digital data from a second GRL Device via the radio receiver, the digital data comprising a description of the authenticated location of the second GRL Device and the authenticated location of the second GRL Device comprises a destination spatial domain for the asset to which the first GRL Device is affixed, and wherein the second GRL Device comprises a digital storage comprising a unique identifier and the software is further operative to receive by transmission from the second GRL Device the authenticated location of the second GRL Device, and the authenticated location of the second GRL Device comprises the unique identifier. 
 
     
     
       2. The first GRL Device of  claim 1  wherein the software is additionally operative with the processor to determine whether the authenticated location of the first GRL Device is a destination spatial domain for an asset to which the first GRL Device is affixed. 
     
     
       3. The first GRL Device of  claim 1  wherein the software is additionally operative with the processor to transmit to an aggregator the authenticated location of the first GRL Device. 
     
     
       4. The first GRL Device of  claim 1  wherein the software is additionally operative with the processor to transmit to an aggregator contents of the log. 
     
     
       5. The first GRL Device of  claim 1  wherein the transmitter is operable to receive a timing data comprising a fullerene-based transition frequency from the second GRL Device. 
     
     
       6. The first GRL Device of  claim 5  wherein the software is further operative with the processor to verify the authenticated location of the first GRL Device via a hashed value that is based at least in part upon a private key stored on the first GRL Device. 
     
     
       7. The first GRL Device of  claim 6  wherein the software is additionally operative to communicate with a smart gateway to transmit or receive the authenticated location of the first GRL Device. 
     
     
       8. The first GRL Device of  claim 6  wherein the authenticated location of the first GRL Device is determined by the processor via trilateration incorporating reference points. 
     
     
       9. The first GRL Device of  claim 6  wherein the software is additionally operative to define a collective comprising multiple assets, which may include the asset to which the first GRL Device is attached, within defined boundaries of a spatial domain. 
     
     
       10. The first GRL Device of  claim 9  wherein the defined boundaries of the spatial domain comprise a bulk box and contents of the bulk box comprises a collective of asset. 
     
     
       11. The first GRL Device of  claim 6  additionally comprising tracking of movement of the first GRL Device from a first spatial domain to a second spatial domain. 
     
     
       12. The first GRL Device of  claim 6  wherein the software is additionally operative with the processor to determine whether the authenticated location of the first GRL Device is a within a spatial domain that comprises a destination for the asset. 
     
     
       13. The first GRL Device of  claim 12  wherein movement of the first GRL Device from a first spatial domain to a second spatial domain precedes processing of a payment vehicle. 
     
     
       14. The first GRL Device of  claim 12  wherein movement of the first GRL Device from a first spatial domain to a second spatial domain initiates a transfer of ownership of the asset associated with the first GRL Device. 
     
     
       15. The first GRL Device of  claim 12  wherein the spatial domain is based upon information contained in a shapefile stored in the log. 
     
     
       16. The first GRL Device of  claim 1  additionally comprising one or both of: an energy receiver and an energy harvester for receiving energy to power components of the first GRL Device. 
     
     
       17. The first GRL Device of  claim 1  wherein the asset comprises one of: a shipping pallet to which the first GRL Device is attached; and a shipping container to which the first GRL Device is attached.